United Airlines expands basic fare tier option to United First

CHICAGO — United Airlines is rolling out a new basic fare option for its highest level of service.

The Star Alliance member is set to add a basic pricing tier for its first-class cabin, starting this fall on U.S. domestic flights.

“You can select the tier with benefits that fit your travel needs,” says United on its site, as reported by USA Today. “No matter which tier you select, your fare will include the same elevated onboard experience offered in that cabin.”

The tier options for United First will range from flexible to standard to base.

With the base fare option, there’s a fee for seat selection, plus passengers get one checked bag and one carry on. No flight changes are allowed, or refunds. With the standard and flexible options, passengers get free seat selection and two checked bags, one carry-on. Flexible offers refunds while Standard does not.

The move is the latest in the airline industry’s years-long push to offer more unbundled pricing options. 

This past July, Delta rolled out Basic fare options in premium products (Delta First, Delta Premium Select and Delta One, known as Basic Business).

That same month, United’s fellow Star Alliance member and Atlantic Joint Venture partner Air Canada introduced Basic fares options for Premium Economy and Business Class. 

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